The state of California’s Energy Commission has released a report to better utilise demand response and increase energy efficiency to redress the loss of power plants and tackle climate change.
The Commission approved the Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) that forecasts California’s future energy usage and outlines how the Energy Commission can work with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Independent System Operator (ISO) to manage energy needs with demand response.
The Energy Commission chair, Robert Weisenmiller, said a balanced portfolio of preferred and conventional resources is needed to maintain reliable power. “This IEPR focuses on increasing the deployment of preferred resources, in particular energy efficiency and demand response,” he added.
Demand response will play a vital role because power plants have been retired, including a nuclear generator in Southern California, without replacement so demand response will be essential to maintain reliable power.
The integration of renewable energy sources will help lower CO2 but will require demand response services to make the most of the power they provide as/when it is available. So far it has not been deployed to a sufficient level for reliable grid operation, however energy agencies are addressing this short fall.
The report offers suggestions to tackle regulatory and market challenges for implementing demand response. It also outlines ways to enhance energy efficiency for new and existing buildings and reduce carbon emissions.
Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister summarised the IEPR by saying, “This report identifies what we need to do immediately and in the years ahead if we are to realise our future energy and climate goals.”
